The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office issued a new scam alert for the families of jail inmates on Oct. 15 alerting residents on a new version of law enforcement officer impersonation scams that have been cropping up repeatedly in recent years.
The jail houses recently arrested people, those awaiting bail payments and arraignment and those serving less than one year in confinement after a criminal conviction.
Recent information indicates that scammers are impersonating YCSO employees and command staff and are claiming to represent YCSO and “requesting money to enroll inmates in special programs or to ‘secure their participation in court’ or ‘rehabilitation opportunities,’” a YCSO stated.
YCSO Volunteer Fraud Investigator Ron Norfleet said he doesn’t know how scammers are getting a hold of the information to target the families of inmates and that he has
received “about 10” reports over the last month and that he has received 25 separate reports from residents about other law enforcement officer impersonation scams over the past three weeks.
Fortunately, Norfleet said currently no family members of inmates have reported to him losing money to scammers.
Over the last six months, law enforcement officers in North Carolina have issued warnings about scammers impersonating the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office under the pretense that a payment would lead to the release of their loved ones from county jail and this month Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office in California warned their residents that bail bond impersonators had told would be victims that a payment of $1,250 would lead their loved one to be released from custody.
“[YCSO] including all employees, deputies, detention staff, and leadership — will never call, email, or text anyone to request or collect money for any reason,” the press release reads. “This includes inmate programs, fines, warrants, or release conditions. Any communication making such a request should be treated as fraudulent and reported immediately.”
“YCSO will never request payment through gift cards, wire transfer, Venmo, PayPal, cryptocurrency, prepaid debit cards, or in-person cash transactions. YCSO will never call or text demanding personal financial information, such as credit card details or banking information. YCSO will never offer ‘program access’ or ‘early release’ in exchange for any form of payment.”
This is an active YCSO investigation. Residents are requested to report to YCSO’s non-emergency dispatch at (928) 771-3260 or by emailing web.sheriff@ yavapaiaz.gov.
While residents should hang up immediately if they receive a call about this they are encouraged to: “Write down as much information as possible, including: The phone number or contact method used. The name, title or badge number claimed by the caller. Any inmate name mentioned. The requested payment method and exact instructions,” according to a YCSO press release.
Norfleet said he has seen a resurgence in scammers attempting to do title fraud by attempting to sell a property that they don’t own in an effort to steal payment.
Fortunately, Yavapai County Assistant Assessor Bret C. McKee wrote “We are not aware of any successful incidents of deed fraud,” in Yavapai County.
Arizona Rep. Selina Bliss [R-District 1] has stated she is working to tighten laws with regards to deed and title transferred to combat title fraud in the next legislative session.
For up-to-date information about inmate services, visitation or available programs, visit the YCSO website at ycsoaz.gov.
